Fence-post



R. PRYOR.

. FENCE POST.

(N0 Mbdel.)

I 1) $2 I flak/agar Patented Apr, 2, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT PRYOR, OF RUSK, TEXAS.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 536,937, dated April 2, 1895.

Application filed June 18, 1894. Serial No. 514,954. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT PRYOR, a citizen of. the United States, residing at Rusk, in the county of Cherokee and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Fence-Post, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has special reference to improvements in that class of fence posts which are adapted for use in connection with Wire fences; and it has for its object the production of a post wherein the wires may be removably secured, so that it will be possible to disconnect the posts and wires at will, to the end that the wires may be adjusted or changed.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claim hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings: Figurel representsa perspective view of a fence-post constructed after the manner of my inven-' tion and showing the wires applied thereto as in practice; Fig. 2, an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the fence post, and showing one of the sockets and the Wedge in the act of securing a wire; Fig. 3, a cross-section on the line m-m of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a detail ing down upon the socket, and showing the fence in cross-section; Fig. 6, a vertical section of a portion of the post and attached wires,

and showing several of the Wedges in the po-' sitions which they assume when affixing a wire. I

The reference numeral 1 indicates the body of the post, which is preferably formed of cast-or wrought iron and provided with'vertical and longitudinal strengthening ribs 2. It will be understood that this construction, while preferred, is not essential. Formed integral with the post 1, and extending longitudinally thereon, are the ribs 3, which may be of any number equal to the number of wires which it is desired to secure to the post, and which are formed semi-circular in crosssection, with their curved sides outward. These ribs are longitudinally aligned, though distinct from each other, and are each attended by the respective arms 4, The arms 4 may be either fixed to or formed integral and arm 4 forms a wedge-shaped opening bounded on one side by the circular groove 5, and on the other by the rib 3. Within this triangular or wedge-shaped space the wire 10 is adapted to be arranged, and to be driven therein by the wedge 6. The Wedge 6 is formed with a perpendicular side 7, adapted, when operating, to lie against the right-hand side of the post 1, or directly adjacent to the rib 3, and having formed therein the semi-circular groove 8, of a size and shape capable of snugly receiving the rib 3. The opposite side of the wedge 6 is formed with the beveled or inclined portion 9,*and this is formed convex and in conformity with the grooves 5 of the arms 4.. The purpose of this construction is to guide the wedge into the sockets. A portion of the side of the edge having the inclined side 9 is left plane or perpendicular, while the upper end of the wedge is squared so as to form a surface capable of receiving the blows of a driving instrument by which the wedge will be driven down.

' The wires 10 are of the usual or any preferred form, and are one for each arm and rib. In the use of the invention, the wires are placed between their respective ribs and arms and moved downwardly in the wedge-shaped spaces aforesaid, until they bind against the lower ends thereof, or at the juncture of the arms and post. The wedge 6 should next be placed between the arm and rib to which it belongs, and with its groove 8 in position to receive the rib, While the beveled face 9 is partly within the groove 5. The operation of securing the wire is completed by driving the wedge 6 down into the space between the arm and rib, thereby forcing the lower end of the rib to engage the wire and to cause said wire to move into the lowest portion of the space between the rib and arm, thereby forming in the wire a semi-circular bend, conforming to the shape of the rib 3 and lying snugly in the space at the lower end thereof. The wedge is now removed and used to secure a second wire; and so the operation is continued until all the wires have been secured. Thus it will be seen that it is quite impossible for the wire to beaccidentally removed after beingsecured by my device, and that lateral movement of the wire on the post will be an impossibility, since the bend that is formed in the wire will operate to hold it immovably in place. To remove the wire, for adjustment or other purposes, all that is necessary is to give the wire a few light blows on the under side, which will cause the wire to move out of the position in which it was first secured.

It will be understood that the essentialities of my invention lie in the arm 4, and the rib 3, and that these may be increased or diminished in number indefinitely. For example, I have shown a post in which eight sets of plates and ribs are provided, but in the specification I have described them in the singular. The reason for this apparent discrepancy will, however, be understood. It will also be un- Fig. 1 it does not appear at all, since it is of no use after the wires are once in place.

If the arms 4 are formed integral with the body of the post they will, of course, be cast therewith; and if they are rigidly secured to the same, this will be effected by the process of welding. The arms willbe welded only in 40 the case of a wrought-iron post; and this mode will be used but littlein practice, since the posts may be cast much cheaper than they can be formed of wrought iron. In the drawings I have not shown the parts in exactly the proper proportions, the arms 4 being largerthannecessary. This is, however,

a matter of no essentialimportance.

Having described the invention, I claim- A fence post having a vertical rib thereon and an arm rigidly secured to the post and adjacent to the rib and projecting outwardly and upwardly therefrom, said arm having the side which is adjacent to the rib formed with a groove extending parallel with the rib, whereby the wire may be driven between the arm and the post and bent so as to lie around the rib and in the groove, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aftixed my signature in l the presence of two witnesses.

ROBT. PRYQR.

Witnesses:

R. MOCLURE, E. J. BOTEMAN. 

